Rioting in east Delhi: 13 arrested

Thirty-nine people, including 35 police personnel, were injured in last night's arsoning and rioting in Mayur Vihar Phase-III area after enraged locals attacked police posts and damaged public property.

A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the area following the rioting after spreading of rumours that the man, who fell from his scooter at a police picket, died.

A senior police official said two cases of arson, rioting and attempt to murder cases have been registered in New Ashok Nagar and Ghazipur police stations and 13 people - nine in New Ashok Nagar, and four in Ghazipur - have been arrested.

Though locals alleged the person who was killed in violence died due to police firing, officials denied it saying they did not open fire.

"The cause of death of the person is yet to be ascertained. There was no firing from police's side. The gun of a constable was snatched. It is missing. We have lobbed 120 teargas shells," a police official said.

The official said the rioters also tried to set on fire a petrol pump though it was prevented averting a major tragedy, while three police booths were set on fire. A DTC bus, 12 motorcycles and a CNG station were damaged.

Meanwhile, the situation was under control in the area though most of the shops remained close and two schools not functioning. Attendance in other schools were around 60 per cent.

The violence took place an hour after the man, who the police claimed was drunk, fell from his two wheeler at a vehicle checking picket when he was signaled to stop for not wearing a helmet.

Eye witnesses claimed he ignored the signal and tried to flee but a police man tried to stop him and he fell down. He was then hit by a vehicle which was behind the scooter. Police denied the allegations.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is undergoing treatment, a senior police official said.

Police said a "rumour" spread in the area that the victim died in the incident and enraged locals gathered near the police post and clashed with the personnel.

The mob then went on a rampage setting afire the police post and at least seven vehicles, including buses and trucks.